6 Jean and Kerry walked down the hall to the exam room. Inside was a large chair with a mirror over it. Kerry sat down and tried to get comfortable.

7 "Are you O.K.?" asked Jean.

8 "Yes, just a little scared," said Kerry.

9 "It will be fine, Kerry," said Jean. "Dr. Hicks is a very good dentist."

10 Just then Dr. Hicks came into the room. She greeted Kerry and Jean then looked over Kerry's chart. When she was ready, she sat down next to Kerry.

11 "Kerry, you have a cavity in one of your molars," said Dr. Hicks.

12 "I know," said Kerry. "Why does it have to be filled if it doesn't hurt?"

13 "It may not hurt today, Kerry, because it is only a small cavity. If we fill it now it won't get any bigger. If we leave it alone, it will grow and could cause bigger problems. It could get infected. It's best to take care of it while it is small, then it won't cause more trouble for you," said Dr. Hicks.

14 "O.K.," said Kerry, "I guess it's the best thing to do."

15 Dr. Hicks put Kerry's chair back and asked her to open wide. She gave Kerry a shot to numb her mouth. The shot was quick and almost painless. Kerry began to relax. In a few minutes the left side of her face felt numb.

16 "I think, we're ready to begin," said Dr. Hicks. Kerry opened her mouth and Dr. Hicks drilled around the outside of the cavity. Kerry didn't feel anything. Then Dr. Hicks filled the cavity with a special tooth colored material. Before long, Dr. Hicks was done.

17 "How do you feel?" asked Dr. Hicks.

18 "I feel pretty good," said Kerry, "except my mouth is still numb."

19 "That will wear off soon," said Dr. Hicks. "Jean is going to go over the care of your teeth with you. This will help you to prevent more cavities from happening. I have another patient to see, it was nice to see you, Kerry."

20 "Bye, Dr. Hicks," said Kerry.

21 Jean showed Kerry a set of false teeth, "Here is the tooth that had a cavity," she began pointing to the third molar from the back. "Somehow, you missed brushing well in that area. Bacteria were able to form plaque which caused your cavity. It's very important to clean all of your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and using a gentle motion for at least two to three minutes is the best way to remove plaque and food from your teeth."

22 "I do brush twice a day," said Kerry. "But I don't know if I brush for two or three minutes."

23 "Using a timer can help you make sure you brush long enough. It's also a good idea to use a soft tooth brush to clean your teeth. Being gentle with your teeth is better than scrubbing hard. The top of your teeth have enamel that can wear away from too much scrubbing. Also, you only need a small amount of toothpaste. Please, be careful not to swallow too much of the toothpaste. The fluoride is good to brush on your teeth but not the best thing to eat," Jean said with a smile.

24 Kerry giggled.

25 Jean continued, "Flossing will help to clean between your teeth. Don't forget to push it way down to clean your gums."

26 "Wow, that's a lot to remember!" said Kerry.

27 "Yes, it is," said Jean. "Here's a booklet to help you. You also get a new toothbrush, your own tube of toothpaste, and some dental floss."

28 Kerry thanked Jean and they walked back to the waiting area. Kerry's mom put down the book she was reading and smiled at Kerry as she came into the room.

29 "Are we all set to go?" asked Mom.

30 "Yes," said Kerry. "All set!"

31 "Kerry and I went over the proper care of her teeth," said Jean.

32 "Thank you," said Mom. "I'm sure she doesn't want another cavity."

33 "You're right, I don't!" exclaimed Kerry.

A Visit to the Dentist

1.

Where was Kerry's mom taking her? To the doctor's To the dentist To school To grandmother's house

2.

Why was Kerry going to the dentist? To have a cavity filled To visit her father For a field trip For a cleaning

3.

Why did Dr. Hicks give Kerry a shot? To clean her teeth To wake her up To help her sleep To numb her mouth

4.

Why did Kerry have a cavity? Because she was a fast runner Because she was eight Because she didn't chew gum Because she didn't brush properly